NCツ
Well-known member
- Messages
- 5,484
MAPLESCOUTING is BACK. I haven't ran MS for a draft class since 2000 and what a depressing top 3 that was with David West, Dwayne Wade, and Carlos Boozer. MAPLESCOUTING is a formula that factors in age, potential, fringes, and applies positional weights to come up with a score for a player. MAPLESCOUTING has been applied to 37 different draft classes dating back to last iteration and only 3 players have posted a 60+ score, and only 31 (0.0084%) have posted a 55 or better! So let's see how this class shaped out!
1.) Phoenix Suns - Stephen Curry (58.80, 1st)
As expected Stephen Curry is the real deal. He is the highest scored guard in the history of MAPLESCOUTING with a score of 58.80. The next closest guard is Cole Anthony from last iteration with a score of 57.73. Curry is also the first draft prospect to post a B+ outside shooting since MAPLESCOUTING began to collect data in BSL.
2.) Indiana Pacers - Damian Lillard (55.39, 3rd)
Lillard is easily a CAN'T MISS prospect. His scoring is going to be electric, and his defense is already higher than expected which is a huge plus. Lillard has fringe outside shooting putting him real close to the B+ grade Curry already has. If Lillard can pot boost just once, we might be talking about him being the GOAT from this class.
3.) Vancouver Grizzlies - Kemba Walker (56.56, 2nd)
Kemba comes in ranked #2 overall in MAPLESCOUTING. His edge over Lillard with handles, and being super fringe inside, defense, and rebounding give him enough to score higher. I hate that one of my all time favorites is in the hands of panic. Like Lillard, if Kemba can pot boost just once, we might be talking about him being the GOAT from this class.
4.) Miami Heat - Jimmy Butler (52.03, 6th)
Gopher is just reloading after the Kobe era, Butler is a great franchise centerpiece wing to build around. He probably won't reach Kobe's level of dominance, but one teen pot boost could make that a possibility. He's a safe pick too as if his pot tank he probably winds up as a slightly better Dwayne Wade who has niched himself a nice career after being deemed a "bust."
5.) San Antonio Spurs - Derrick Rose (51.06, 10th)
Like Brooks rankings, Rose is a "reach" here according to MAPLESCOUTING. Luckily Rose has the ceiling and should have the athletics to make this "reach" worth it. The most weighted grade in MAPLESCOUTING for a guard is outside shooting, and Rose only posts a C+ that isn't fringe. As long as the Spurs invest in an outside oriented coaching staff, this should develop plenty over time.
6.) Boston Celtics (from Milwaukee Bucks) - DeMar DeRozan (49.00, 17th)
What a steal of a trade for GB, I get Hooper's logic but this draft class is great and he could get #1 year with his pick back..... but he's risking that the #1 pick will be better than DeMar DeRozan or the other available guys in this draft. DeMar is the first guy to score under a 50.0 in MAPLESCOUTING off the board. His lack of outside shooting is what drastically brings his grade down, because he has no other flaws, is a teen, and has A potential. I do worry that DeRozan is going to be one of those guys who has super low 3 pt shooting in his build, but it's still high enough for him to take 3 a game and shoot 22% in the process. Either way i'm sure GB can flip him for Anthony Davis in a few years if that is the case!
7.) Toronto Raptors - Serge Ibaka (51.95, 7th)
Like Brooks formula, Ibaka sits at the 7 spot in MAPLESCOUTING. Given the chance for a pot boost Ibaka is the big man with probably the highest ceiling in this draft class. Ibaka will likely become a solid piece for my good friend hokey!
8.) Detroit Pistons - Rajon Rondo (49.72, 14th)
Another prospect falling victim to not being a polished shooter from outside. Rondo is going to be an excellent facilitator and a relentless defender for Detroit, but can he become an offensive threat? I see him developing a career like Jason Kidd, will last a long time in the league as a starter, but won't ever start on a serious championship contender.
9.) Portland Trail Blazers - J.R. Smith (53.63, 4th)
MAPLESCOUTING loves JR Smith. He has athleticism, he has volume, he can rebound, is a superfringe defender, and is eligible to play some point guard? SIGN ME UP. Foreman has a steal here with Smith, who does post the 12th highest potential as a non teen. Smith can also become an immediate contributor given his base, I was surprised to see the defending champs pass on him at 6.
10.) Los Angeles Lakers - Eric Gordon (51.54, 8th)
Gordon is a top 3-5 spec in most draft classes, but he falls to 10 and Nate gets himself a quality building piece. He has the 9th highest potential and also has a chance to teen pot boost. He has a sneaky chance to become the best off the ball prospect in this draft class if that potential jumps.
11.) Phoenix Suns (from Seattle SuperSonics) - Roy Hibbert (52.57, 5th)
MAPLESCOUTING had Hibbert at #5 overall and as the #1 big man. I don't think Hibbert is going to be a superstar, but he has the base and potential to become one of those reliable big men every team needs. Great pick by Frank.
12.) Seattle SuperSonics (from Charlotte Hornets) - Ty Lawson (50.11, 13th)
Ty Lawson and Raymond Felton on the same squad? 14 year old NC would be moving KG+++ to get that duo on his squad. Lawson is the first guy off the board who has potential outside the top 50. He also is not a teen making these first 2 TC's extremely important. Gives me Mike Bibby vibes from the 1997 draft class. Similar build, similar draft spot.
13.) Detroit Pistons (from Philadelphia 76ers) - Shaun Livingston (45.91, 34th)
Detroit had two lottos in this deep draft class, and I feel like they whiffed on both selections. Livingston has a second round grade and the Pistons are now faced with the decision of playing Rondo or Livingston off the ball. I would have taken a wing at 8 (JR Smith or Eric Gordon) and then the best available point guard here at 13 (Lawson, Rondo, Livingston, or even a George Hill).
14.) Sacramento Kings - Andray Blatche (50.18, 11th)
This is such a Brad pick. Blatche is going to be a quality big man for him for a long time. Blatche will get to develop behind Ostertag and Taylor. The future is bright in Sacramento with prospects Andray Blatche, DeAndre Jordan, Monta Ellis, Kyle Lowry, and JaVale McGee (48.89, 18th) who they snagged at pick 16!
